All fish / Pomacentridae

Agile Chromis

Chromis agilis

Also known as agile chromis, agile damselfish, reef chromis, bronze reef chromis, アギリスクロミス, 敏捷光鳃鱼

This is a stocky chromis with an orange-brown to bronze body, a black spot at the base of each pectoral fin and a pale tail area. In the wild it picks plankton from the water above outer reef slopes. Aquarists keep it as a hardy, reef-safe damselfish that is calmer than many relatives.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Single or small group of 3 to 5 in a larger tank

Diet

Omnivore: zooplankton such as mysis and brine shrimp, quality marine flakes and pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: East Africa and Red Sea region to Hawaii, Pitcairn and the Tuamotus

Breeding

Males clear a nest site on rock and guard eggs laid by the female until they hatch. The larvae drift in the plankton for weeks, which makes rearing in captivity very difficult, and it is rarely bred at home.

Good to know

It becomes more territorial as it ages, so add groups at the same time and give plenty of rockwork. Tank-raised fish are not usually available, so expect wild-caught stock.